“Makinde’s State Police Criticism Is Deflection From Oyo’s Security Challenges” — Tinubu Aide

 By Kehinde Awosina 

A presidential aide, Dada Olusegun, has criticised Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde over his recent comments on the debate surrounding the establishment of state police, accusing the governor of diverting attention from security challenges in his state.

Makinde had recently argued that the Federal Government was delaying progress on state policing and claimed that Lagos State declined to participate in the Amotekun security initiative due to political considerations linked to President Bola Tinubu.

Responding in a statement, Olusegun, who serves as Special Assistant to President Tinubu on Social Media, dismissed the governor’s claims as inaccurate and politically motivated.

According to him, President Tinubu has consistently supported the creation of local security structures to complement federal security efforts and therefore could not have opposed initiatives such as Amotekun.

The presidential aide also questioned the effectiveness of security operations in Oyo State, alleging that the Amotekun Corps in the state suffers from inadequate funding and poor equipment despite the governor's praise for the outfit.

Olusegun argued that security personnel should be provided with the resources necessary to confront increasingly sophisticated criminal groups, adding that public statements alone cannot address security concerns.

He further challenged Makinde's advocacy for state police, saying that managing a full-fledged state policing system would require substantial financial commitments, including investment in infrastructure, personnel welfare, forensic facilities, armories, and pension obligations.

The presidential aide maintained that the Tinubu administration is approaching the issue of state police with caution, stressing that constitutional reforms involving security must be backed by clear legal and financial frameworks.

He urged the Oyo State government to focus on strengthening and adequately funding its existing security structures before criticising the Federal Government's approach to security reforms.

Olusegun concluded by calling on Governor Makinde to prioritise addressing security challenges in Oyo State, insisting that effective governance and improved security outcomes should take precedence over political disagreements.